I’m a 65 yr old beginner at all things electronics, but I’ve hacked together a few Raspi projects and keen to build a modular synth!
So far I’ve made a “module” that holds 2 x LRS-50-12 PSUs, and a LMNC CEM334- VCO (core version so far).
And last night it made sound! It looks like this (too impatient to wait for faceplates to arrive 
).
Adding square wave and PCM look like obvious next steps, but beyond that, I’m looking for recommendations for the next additions. I have come to love stripboard - it’s forgiving, it help me understand what is happening, and I can test my soldering as I go along.
My wish list includes:
LFO, Noise, ASDR, Sequencer, more VCOs?, VCA, Midi
Suggestions for projects with stripboard layouts at the lower end of the skill range would be very welcome!
Thanks
Stewart
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welcome to this community
have a look at this thread about verified stripboard layouts here on this forum. there might be interesting stuff for you in there…
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Thank you
And thank you - that’s exactly what I was looking for. And I did search first - honest!
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The most important component is a filter, usually low pass, but you can add high pass and band pass. This will shape the sound when coupled with an ADSR.
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I started off following the designs by eddy bergman, cant say I’ve progressed much from day one, but enjoying it regardless.
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Fifty years … sorry … hundred years ago someone said you cannot have too few LFOs. Look for a quad-lfo. There should be several designs out there.
One or two mixers are mandatory! A sequencer. Notice that different VCFs sound differently.
But yes, a VCA, an envelope generator or two are also “a must”.
Check the website of Elby-Design, Eddy Bergman and Barton Musical Circuits and try to avoid drooling as these places give you ideas. Also decide what you want to do; how to play/operate your synth. Play it from a MIDI keyboard or have it play by itself??
And finally - build your machine step by step, check/trim/tune your modules and stuff them into your rack as you’ve built them. Don’t do like I have done; I have an empty rack and 60+ modules untested stored away waiting for an oscillator/DVM/frequency counter …
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